Head of Lewes Old Grammar School
September 2027
Lewes, East Sussex | Full-time | Attractive salary package
Inspiring a Lifelong Love of Learning Since 1512
Bright Minds. Brave Hearts. Great Futures.
Lewes Old Grammar School (LOGS) is seeking an exceptional Head to lead our School from September 2027.
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of England’s oldest schools and one of Sussex’s most distinctive independent schools at an exciting point in its history.
Founded in 1512, LOGS is a genuinely independent, co-educational through school educating children from Pre-reception through to Sixth Form. Our pupils are known as individuals, our class sizes are deliberately small, and our culture combines academic ambition with outstanding pastoral care, individuality and a strong sense of community.
We are looking for an inspirational and commercially aware educational leader who can build on a strong legacy and bring fresh insights and initiatives.
The opportunity
Our current Head, Rob Blewitt, is retiring after 24 years in post, having overseen a significant period of growth and development. The successful candidate will inherit a school with a strong reputation, a distinctive educational philosophy, committed staff and a secure financial foundation.
This is not a role for someone seeking simply to maintain the status quo.
Working closely with the Board of Trustees and the School’s senior leadership team, the new Head will have the opportunity to:
- articulate and champion the LOGS difference in an increasingly competitive independent schools market;
- strengthen pupil recruitment, retention and the School’s external profile;
- continue to drive academic excellence while preserving our personalised and supportive approach;
- ensure our pupils are equipped with the knowledge, skills, character and adaptability to thrive in a changing world;
- attract, develop and retain outstanding staff and future leaders;
- maintain the School’s strong financial position and long-term sustainability;
- strengthen relationships with parents, alumni, feeder schools, local organisations and the wider Lewes community; and
- provide inspiring, visible leadership across every phase of the School.
Why Lewes Old Grammar School?
LOGS is unusual. We offer a genuine through-school experience in which children can progress from their earliest years through to Sixth Form within one close-knit educational community.
Our philosophy is captured in three simple ideas:
Bright Minds – small classes and personalised teaching that enables every pupil to develop their academic potential.
Brave Hearts – a culture built around kindness, hard work, involvement and making a difference, where individuality is celebrated rather than constrained.
Great Futures – an education that prepares young people for life beyond school, balancing ambition with wellbeing and giving every pupil a pathway towards their individual aspirations.
Recent parent feedback reflects the strength of this approach, with very high proportions agreeing that LOGS nurtures individuality, develops confidence and self-belief, promotes kindness and respect, knows each child as an individual and provides excellent pastoral care.
The School also benefits from a strong financial platform, providing the successful candidate with the opportunity to focus on educational excellence, sustainable growth and the continued development of the School.
About you
We are seeking an exceptional educational leader with the credibility, experience and personal qualities to lead our distinctive independent school.
You will have:
- Qualified Teacher Status and a good honours degree;
- substantial successful senior leadership and management experience in a school;
- a proven record of improving educational outcomes;
- a thorough understanding of safeguarding and pupil welfare;
- strong knowledge of independent school education, including marketing and admissions;
- experience of leading, developing and motivating staff;
- strategic planning and implementation experience;
- experience of working effectively with governors, trustees or equivalent governing bodies; and
- experience of the ISI or Ofsted inspection regime.
You will combine strategic vision with operational excellence, and educational expertise with emotional intelligence. You will be ambitious for the School while understanding and respecting the qualities that make LOGS special.
Commercial awareness, an understanding of market positioning and reputation management, and experience of budget and resource management would be advantageous.
An exceptional place to live and work
Lewes is a vibrant and distinctive historic town set within the South Downs National Park, with excellent connections to Brighton, Gatwick and London.
The town offers an exceptional quality of life, combining independent shops, restaurants, arts and culture, historic architecture and a strong sense of community with easy access to beautiful countryside and the Sussex coast.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to become an important figure not only within the School but within the wider Lewes community.
How to apply
You can find the full Job Description and Application form on our website
https://logs.uk.com/about-logs/working-at-logs/
Applications should be made by submitting a completed application form to [email protected]
Closing date: 10:00am, Monday 5 October 2026
Long-list interviews: Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October 2026 (via Teams)
Final interviews: Monday 9 November 2026
The successful candidate will be notified by Wednesday 11 November 2026.
An attractive salary package is available, commensurate with the size of the School and the previous experience of the successful candidate.
If you are an ambitious, inspirational educational leader who wants to shape the next chapter of a remarkable independent school, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Work Location: In person
